I know I wrote back when I started going to CBH that I was blown away by the fact that they made (and poured) more than a few beers. Every time I’d go in there would be something new (to me) on tap. I sort of got used to it over the weeks but then I went in and saw something called Lazy Bee Tripel on tap.

I ordered a pint (to CBH’s credit, when it’s been clear that I have never had something I’ve ordered, I’ve always been offered a taste first) and was dumbstruck by the color. Just look at it here. It’s like they took a Crayola crayon and melted it down and filled a glass with it.

In a way, it’s one of the prettiest beers I’ve ever seen. Then again, it’s also one of the creepiest beers I’ve ever seen.

CBH says:

CBH Belgian Tripel using local honey from Forgotten Acres Farm!! This tripel will warm you with alcohol and clove; honey and bubblegum notes are present

That’s right, the person who wrote the description on the blackboard felt the need for two exclamation points. The folks behind the farm seem pretty cool and simply make good honey.

I must note that Granby, where the Brew House is, is home to Lost Acres Orchard (and vineyard), but they chose to go with Forgotten Acres in nearby Windsor. Why are farmers so pessimistic up in this part of the state? Why are people losing and forgetting such productive acreage?

And why are brewers putting honey in a tripel? I don’t pretend to know what truly constitutes the true definitions of different styles. Hell, I just looked up what a tripel truly was and have nothing definitive to report back. When I tweeted a picture of this beer, my homebrewer friend EdHill wrote back, “strange to add honey to a tripel since tripels are supposed to be very dry.”

I’ll take his word for it. I do know that I love trappist dubbels and tripels, and that I’ve never had one with such honey color and flavor. Whatever they call it, I guess the taste is what matters, right?

Right.

Like many CBH beers, this one lacked a discernable head. And it also wasn’t overpowering with honey flavor, but it was definitely there, especially on the finish. The honey also affected the mouthfeel – not in an awful way, and it may have even been psychosomatic, but this beer felt like it had honey in it.

It was pretty good. I wouldn’t order it again though, partly because people stare too much at the guy with the bright yellow Crayola beer and partly because of what happens when you put honey or honey-like substances in beer: It sticks to the back of my throat and coats my tongue and will not go away no matter how much I want it too.

I had this problem with a Dogfish Head beer that contained honey. I like honey – a lot. But I do not like the stale taste of it on my tongue for half an hour after I’ve had some beer with it. It’s just wrong to me for some reason.

By the way, I always link the Beer Advocate reviews at the end of all my reviews so you can easily read actual CT Beer reviews by real beer reviewers. For most CBH beers, there’s only one dude on BA reviewing and I just read his review of this Lazy Bee Tripel. He fails to mention that there was honey in it at all and that really, really bothers me.